Brent Venables reveals news that should have Oklahoma Sooners fans excited about potential for one side of the ball in 2025.

As college football fans look toward the 2025 season, expectations and excitement are building for programs across the country. For the Oklahoma Sooners, a school with a storied history and a consistent tradition of excellence, 2025 holds the promise of a new chapter under head coach Brent Venables. After a challenging start to his tenure in 2022, Venables’ team has shown noticeable improvement on both sides of the ball, and the future looks bright, especially on one side of the football.

In a recent press conference, Brent Venables revealed critical news that should have Oklahoma Sooners fans excited about the future. This revelation, which pertains to the defense, signals that Oklahoma’s defensive unit is primed for a resurgence in 2025. Venables, a defensive mastermind known for his work as Clemson’s defensive coordinator, emphasized that his defense will be a driving force for the Sooners in the coming years. Given his background and experience, his words are worth their weight in gold and give insight into what fans can expect from the Sooners’ defense as they prepare for another exciting season.

Let’s break down what Venables revealed, why it’s important, and how it sets the stage for the Sooners’ defense to dominate in 2025.

Brent Venables’ Defensive Philosophy: A Proven Track Record

Before delving into the specifics of the announcement, it’s important to understand the significance of Brent Venables as a coach. Venables’ reputation as one of the best defensive minds in college football is well-established, and his coaching history speaks for itself. He was the defensive coordinator at Clemson for several years, during which he helped lead the Tigers to two national championships and a host of elite defensive performances. Under his guidance, Clemson’s defenses were known for their ability to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks, shut down running backs, and produce turnovers at crucial moments.

At Oklahoma, Venables inherited a defense that was struggling to regain its dominant identity. While the offense under former head coach Lincoln Riley was prolific, the defense was often an Achilles’ heel, leading to frustrating performances against high-powered offenses. Venables was brought in to right the ship and bring Oklahoma back to its roots of having a stingy and suffocating defense. His defensive philosophy emphasizes speed, physicality, and a relentless pursuit of the ball. It’s built on creating chaos for opposing offenses and forcing them into mistakes—whether through pressure, turnovers, or simply wearing them down over the course of the game.

Venables’ 3-3-5 defense and his ability to develop versatile players who can excel in multiple roles on the field have been key to his success at both Clemson and Oklahoma. Now, with his second full offseason under his belt, he’s had time to implement his vision and cultivate the kind of players who can execute that vision at a high level.

What Venables Revealed About the 2025 Oklahoma Defense

During his most recent press conference, Venables shared several updates that should have Sooners fans buzzing with anticipation about what’s to come in 2025. The most exciting of these updates was Venables’ assessment of the potential for the Sooners’ defense to be one of the best in the Big 12 and a major contender on the national stage.

Venables noted that the team had made significant strides in recruiting and player development, particularly in the areas of defensive line play and linebacker development. These two positions have been focal points of Venables’ coaching since he arrived in Norman, and he believes that the pieces are finally in place for the Sooners to dominate on this side of the ball.

Here are some of the key takeaways from Venables’ recent remarks:

1. Defensive Line Depth and Strength

One of the most important areas of focus for Venables has been improving the depth and talent of the defensive line. In the past, Oklahoma’s defensive line often lacked the kind of disruptive force needed to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stop the run at a high level. Venables, who has always been known for his ability to develop elite defensive linemen, has made major strides in replenishing the depth and talent of the Sooners’ front seven.

According to Venables, the defensive line is poised to be one of the strongest units on the team in 2025. He highlighted several players who are set to emerge as game-changers, including redshirt sophomore defensive end Ethan Downs and junior defensive tackle Jalen Redmond, both of whom have shown flashes of brilliance during their time at Oklahoma. Downs, in particular, is expected to take a massive leap forward in 2025 after showing his potential in limited action last season. Venables noted that Downs has made significant improvements in his technique and ability to shed blockers, making him a formidable force off the edge.

The defensive line will be crucial to Oklahoma’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses. With the improvements in depth and the addition of talented recruits, Venables has set the stage for the Sooners to pressure quarterbacks and shut down the running game effectively. This unit could be one of the best in the Big 12 and a significant factor in the team’s success next season.

2. Linebackers Set to Lead the Defense

Another major point of emphasis for Venables in his comments was the linebacker corps. Venables has long been known for developing elite linebackers who excel in both run defense and pass coverage, and he believes that the Sooners’ linebackers will be one of the team’s strongest position groups in 2025.

Oklahoma’s linebacker unit is anchored by junior linebacker Danny Stutsman, who has emerged as one of the leaders on defense. Stutsman is a versatile linebacker who can do it all—whether it’s defending the run, rushing the passer, or covering receivers in the passing game. Venables expressed great confidence in Stutsman’s ability to take over as a true playmaker on the field, and he expects Stutsman to be one of the top linebackers in the Big 12.

In addition to Stutsman, senior linebacker David Ugwoegbu has also shown significant improvement under Venables’ tutelage. With both players leading the charge, the Sooners’ linebacker group looks set to be a major strength of the defense in 2025. The combination of Stutsman’s sideline-to-sideline speed and Ugwoegbu’s leadership will give Oklahoma a dynamic and versatile linebacker unit capable of dictating the flow of games.

The development of the linebackers will allow Venables to implement his aggressive defensive schemes with more confidence. With these players on the field, Oklahoma’s defense will be able to match up well against a wide variety of offenses in the Big 12, especially those that rely on quick passing and mobile quarterbacks.

3. Defensive Backfield Improvements and Depth

While much of Venables’ focus has been on the front seven, he also mentioned the defensive backfield in his recent comments, noting that the Sooners have seen notable progress in this area as well. Venables stressed that the team had focused heavily on improving cornerback play and safety coverage, particularly in terms of man-to-man coverage and pass rush support.

Senior cornerback Woody Washington is poised for a breakout season, and Venables indicated that Washington’s ability to shut down top receivers will be critical to the defense’s success. Alongside Washington, the Sooners have young, talented cornerbacks like Jaden Davis and Gentry Williams, who are expected to step up and make significant contributions in 2025.

In the safety department, Billy Bowman has emerged as one of the most promising players in the secondary. His ability to cover ground quickly and make impactful plays in both coverage and run support will be a key asset for Oklahoma’s defense. Bowman, along with the addition of talented recruits, gives Venables the depth and versatility he needs to have multiple defensive backs on the field who can cover a variety of routes and attack the line of scrimmage when necessary.

4. Increased Aggression and Creativity

Venables also expressed his desire to increase the aggression and creativity of his defense in 2025. Known for his blitz-heavy defensive schemes and ability to disguise coverages, Venables plans to bring more complexity to his defensive schemes. The added depth in the defensive front and the development of his linebackers and secondary will allow him to take more chances and apply pressure on quarterbacks from all angles.

Expect to see more varied blitz packages, linebackers and defensive backs stunting and switching positions mid-play, and an overall emphasis on creating chaos. The Sooners’ defense will aim to disrupt offensive timing and force turnovers, which will be critical for the team’s success in 2025.